Dry-Powder Inhalers (DPIs)

Introduction

Dry-powder inhalers are portable, inspiratory-flow-driven inhalers that administer dry-powder formulations to the lungs.

DPIs do not contain propellant and are breath-actuated, hence eliminating the need of hand-held coordination of conventional MDIs.
Nonetheless, the patient's inspiratory flow should be adequate enough to draw the drug from the device.

NOTE: DPIs are not suitable for children ≤5 years and some elderly. Capsule devices are difficult for patients with tremor.

Turbuhaler

Turbuhaler contains a large number of doses (up to 200) of undiluted, loosely aggregated micronized drug, which is stored in a reservoir from which it flows on to a rotating disc in the dosing unit.

As the rotating disc is turned, by moving a turning grip back and forth (a "click" sound is heard in one of the turning direction), one metered dose is presented to the inhalation channel.
Perform this procedure twice for priming.
If the Turbuhaler is accidentally dropped, a new dose should be loaded and inhaled.

Inhale the medication.

Breathe out fully and away from the mouthpiece.
Place the mouthpiece gently between the lips (ensure tight seal around it). Then breathe in forcefully and deeply through the mouth.
Holding breath after inhalation is optional.
Remove the Turbuhaler from mouth and then breathe out away from the Turbuhaler.

Turbuhaler makes no sound when the drug is released. Moreover, since the amount of drug delivered by Turbuhaler is small, there is either no or only a faint taste in the mouth when the drug is delivered. This can, in some cases, lead to patients being uncertain as to whether they have received the required dose.

The correct functionality of the Turbuhaler can easily be checked by inhaling through a piece of dark cloth.

Clean up the Turbuhaler.

At least once a week or whenever necessary.
Wipe the outside of the mouthpiece, using dry cloth only.

For Pulmicort and Symbicort, when a red mark can first be seen in the indicator window, there are approximately 20 doses left.

Once the red mark reach bottom of the indicator window, there is no more medicine left.
The sound upon shaking the Turbuhaler is produced by a drying agent, not the medication.

Accuhaler (Diskus)

Accuhaler is a moulded plastic inhaler device containing a foil strip with 60 blisters.

Hold the outer case in one hand and put the thumb of the other hand on the thumb grip to open the Accuhaler.

Push the thumb grip as far as it will go until a "Click" sound is heard. The mouthpiece should now be fully visible.
Hold the device horizontally with the mouthpiece towards the patient.
Slide the level as far it goes as in diagram until another "Click" sound is heard to load a dose in the device.
Never hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece pointing downwards during or after loading a dose, as the medication can be dislodged.

Inhale the medication.

Hold the Accuhaler away from mouth and breathe out completely.
Put the mouthpiece into mouth and ensure a good seal. Do not chew or bite on the mouthpiece.
Breathe in forcefully and deeply through the mouth only.
Remove the Accuhaler from the mouth and hold breath for 10 seconds or as long as possible.
Close the device by sliding the thumb grip back to its original position until a "Click" sound is heard.

Maintenance

Wipe the mouthpiece of the Accuhaler with a dry cloth or tissue at least once a week or whenever necessary.

Ellipta

The package should only be opened when you are ready to begin using your inhaler.

Once you tear open the foil, you should use your Ellipta inhaler within 6 weeks.

NOTE: Do not shake the inhaler, block the air vents with your fingers or breathe out into the inhaler.

Breezhaler

The Breezhaler is a breath-activated device.

Prepare capsule.

Immediately before use, with dry hands, remove one capsule from the blister.
Place the capsule into the capsule chamber.
Close the inhaler until you hear a "click".
With the mouthpiece pointing up, pierce the capsule by firmly pressing together both side buttons at the same time. Do this only once.
Release the side buttons fully.

Inhale the medication.

Before placing the mouthpiece in your mouth, breathe out fully and away from the mouthpiece.
Breathe in rapidly but steadily and as deeply as you can.
As you breathe in through the inhaler, the capsule spins around in the chamber and you should hear a whirring noise. You will experience a sweet flavour as the medicine goes into your lungs.
Occasionally, very small pieces of the capsule can get past the screen and enter your mouth. If this happens, you may be able to feel these pieces on your tongue. It is not harmful if these pieces are swallowed or inhaled. The chances of the capsule shattering will be increased if the capsule is accidentally pierced more than once.
After you inhaled the medicine, hold your breath for at least 5-10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can while taking the inhaler out of your mouth.
Then breathe out, away from the mouthpiece.
Open the inhaler to see if any powder is left in the capsule. If there is powder left in the capsule, close the inhaler and repeat the steps above.
After you have finished taking your medicine, open the mouthpiece again, remove the empty capsule by tipping it out of the capsule chamber. Put the empty capsule in your household waste. Close the inhaler and replace the cap.

Maintenance.

Wipe the mouthpiece inside and outside with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to remove any powder residue.
Keep the inhaler dry. Never wash your inhaler with water.
Each inhaler should be disposed of after all capsules have been used.

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